The News Crawler

Video of ``gay exorcism'' sparks outrage Gay rights advocates are outraged over a video that shows a Connecticut church performing an apparent exorcism of a boy to drive out what they call his homosexual demons.

Conn. quitting in helping its smokers? Connecticut is ranked dead last in a program to stop smoking, spending less than two-percent of our tobacco revenue on smoking programs. Medicaid does not cover any programs to help stop smoking and the state's quit line was shut down.

53 indicted in alleged $50M Medicare fraud scheme

Madoff asks for 12 years in jail

Civil Rights

Daryl Hannah, scientist James Hansen arrested at W.Va. mine protest

Drug War

Are Mind-Enhancing Drugs a Dangerous Fad or a Great Way to Get Ahead?

Juiced Up Jocks and 'Roid Rage: Do We Really Care If Grown Men Use Steroids?

We demand that our sports stars thrill us -- then demonize them for using steroids. Does it really matter?

UN Backs Drug Decriminalization In World Drug Report

Cocaine, opiate markets 'shrink' Markets for cocaine, opiates and cannabis are steady or declining, but those for synthetic drugs seem to be growing, the UN says.

Video: "Smoke Free" Cigarette Debate Some smokers who wish to quit are now praising the controversial e-cigarette, which simulates the effects of smoking. But, as Karina Mitchell reports, U.S. health officials are less optimistic.

Police

The Fraud Squad: How Miami Police Led The Fight Against Mortgage Crooks

Cop who beat barmaid gets probation

Obama finds no stimulus waste

Obama Says Government Health Coverage Plan Would Not Hurt Private Insurers

Congress largely ignoring Obama budget cuts Democrats in Congress crafting spending bills are largely rejecting the roster of program eliminations and budget cuts wanted by President Barack Obama.

Obama administration complains to WTO about China China's being unfair to U.S. steel producers by restricting access to raw materials, the U.S. says. The complaint is the first to be filed after Obama promised aggressive action in his campaign.

Beijing rejects protectionism charge

Obama sending ambassador to Syria after years

Slump continues in Japan exports

GM to Cut 4,000 More White-Collar Jobs

ITC approves import ban on Sharp TVs, displays The U.S. is banning the import of televisions and other goods containing certain liquid crystal display devices manufactured by Japan's Sharp Corp

Bomb Strikes Shiite Market In Baghdad, Kills More Than 60 At least 52 people are killed in a bomb blast at a market in the Shia Sadr City area of the Iraq capital, Baghdad, say officials.

Bomb strikes Shiite market in Baghdad, killing 56 Iraqi officials have raised the casualty toll in a bombing in Baghdad's main Shiite district of Sadr City to at least 56 killed and more than 100 wounded.

Iraq Kurds pass new constitution to include Kirkuk Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan on Wednesday passed a new constitution in which it laid claim to the disputed oil-rich province of Kirkuk, a move likely to increase ethnic tension.

Al Jazeera English's exclusive Interview with al-Qaeda's third in command In a rare and exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Mustafa Abul-Yazeed, al-Qaeda's third in command, said it would use Pakistan's nuclear weapons agains the United States.
Al Jazeera's Shiulie Ghosh spoke with Michael Griffin, an al-Qaeda expert about Abul-Yazeed's comments and their implications.

Just Missed! Taliban Leader Dodges Drone Attack

Fierce Battles and High Casualties on the Frontlines of Afghanistan Troops fight for security and safety in the heartland of the Taliban.

U.S. to restrict airstrikes in Afghanistan The new U.S. commander in Afghanistan plans to issue a directive that will restrict the use of U.S. airstrikes in areas where civilian casualties might be a risk, his spokesman told CNN.

Afghan girl burned by white phosphorus heads home

Female Candidate Braves Retaliation With Presidential Run In Afghanistan

Pak officials behind killing of 11 French engineers: Report

Deadliest US missile strikes in Pakistan Unmanned U.S. drone aircraft have fired missiles at suspected militant targets in Pakistan's tribal region dozens of times in the past two years. Here are details of some of the deadliest attacks, based on information from Pakistani officials

Pakistan rival of Taliban chief shot dead 'by own bodyguard' pro-government militant rival of the Pakistani Taliban leader was shot dead today in a serious blow to the military's offensive against insurgency in the border region with Afghanistan.

China arrests prominent dissident Liu Xiaobo is formally arrested for "subversive activities", state media reports.

China blocks Google website

Pressured by sex workers, Taiwan OKs prostitution Taiwan began a process of legalizing prostitution Wednesday making the island the latest place in the world to decriminalize the world's oldest profession

Tajiks arrest alleged Islamic group members Tajikistan said Wednesday that the alleged leader of a banned Islamic movement and dozens of followers have been arrested on charges of inciting religious hatred

Bangladesh court rules polluting firms will be shut

India has most number of domestic terror groups

Video: Chinese riot over alleged murder-cover up in Shishou

Google Executives On Trial In Absentia In Italy Testimony begins Tuesday in the trial of four Google executives in Italy. The case involves a YouTube video of an autistic Italian youth being beaten and insulted. Google owns YouTube and Italian prosecutors are accusing the executives of privacy violations. They want Google to do more to filter content. Google says content is the responsibility of the user, not the company

Nicolas Sarkozy says Islamic veils are not welcome in France

EU officials warned to be careful about email content

Nigerian testifies that congressman sought bribes Nigerian businessman says a former U.S. congressman sought bribes on both ends of a business deal he brokered between an American company and a Nigerian startup. William Jefferson, a Democrat from Louisiana who represented parts of New Orleans, is on trial accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes. Testimony on Wednesday came from Dumebi Kachikwu, founder of a Nigerian company called NDTV that wanted to provide television service. Kachikwu says Jefferson solicited bribes from his company that could have surpassed $1 million. Those were in addition to bribes he allegedly received from

Yemen's fishermen caught between Somali pirates and pirate hunters Attacks by both Somali pirates and international ships hunting them have crippled Yemen's fishing business, the tiny country's second-largest export industry after oil.

Sudan to execute US envoy killers Four Sudanese men to be hanged for killing a US government official and his driver.

Paraguay woman says Lugo raped her in '01 A woman who claims that Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo is the father of her son on Tuesday accused the former Roman Catholic bishop of raping her in their first sexual encounter

The News Crawler
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Last Update: Monday, June 29, 2009

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World Headlines
Click here for Updates from Iran Updated June 29 12am Nigerian testifies that congressman sought bribes Nigerian businessman says a former U.S. congressman sought bribes on both ends of a business deal he brokered between an American company and a Nigerian startup. William Jefferson, a Democrat from Louisiana who represented parts of New Orleans, is on trial accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes. Testimony on Wednesday came from Dumebi Kachikwu, founder of a Nigerian company called NDTV that wanted to provide television service. Kachikwu says Jefferson solicited bribes from his company that could have surpassed $1 million. Those were in addition to bribes he allegedly received from Sudan to execute US envoy killers Four Sudanese men to be hanged for killing a US government official and his driver. New Evidence Links Saudi Royal Family To Al Qaeda And Extremists Documents gathered by lawyers for the families of Sept. 11 victims provide new evidence of extensive financial support for Al Qaeda and other extremist groups by members of the Saudi royal family, but the material may never find its way into court because of legal and diplomatic obstacles. US missile strike kills 60 at funeral in Pakistan	Mich. man accused of shooting Jews in WWII An 88-year-old man in the U.S. who is now the subject of a criminal investigation in Poland into allegations he shot Jews during World War II insists he did nothing wrong. Google Executives On Trial In Absentia In Italy Testimony begins Tuesday in the trial of four Google executives in Italy. The case involves a YouTube video of an autistic Italian youth being beaten and insulted. Google owns YouTube and Italian prosecutors are accusing the executives of privacy violations. They want Google to do more to filter content. Google says content is the responsibility of the user, not the company Pakistan rival of Taliban chief shot dead 'by own bodyguard' pro-government militant rival of the Pakistani Taliban leader was shot dead today in a serious blow to the military's offensive against insurgency in the border region with Afghanistan. Bomb Strikes Shiite Market In Baghdad, Kills More Than 60 At least 52 people are killed in a bomb blast at a market in the Shia Sadr City area of the Iraq capital, Baghdad, say officials. Report: Israel Authorizes 300 New Settlement Homes.....US cancels Netanyahu meet over settlements: report
US Headlines
Barney Frank Files Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana Webb Crime Bill Moving In House "I think it's really time to do an absolute overview of the issue of drugs and come at it with an open mind," he said. Judge Orders Release of Guantanamo Prisoner Once Held by Al-Qaeda Supreme Court: More districts can sue to bail out of Voting Rights Act The court did not strike down the law Monday, as some experts had expected, but it opened the door for jurisdictions to free themselves from one of the act's key provisions UN Backs Drug Decriminalization In World Drug Report New detector not much better catching nuke matter Federal investigators say the government's next generation radiation detectors are only marginally better at detecting hidden nuclear material than monitors already at U.S. ports, but would cost more than twice as much	Deceptive Practices: How Insurance Companies Hurt Policyholders *Public health plan would save* money** Think tank: US would save $1.8 trillion with a public health option. Neighborhoods Nationwide Breathe Toxic Air Shock and Audit: The Hidden Defense Budget Somewhere in the middle regions of Barack Obama's Herculean to-do list is a task that's defeated many of his predecessors: taming the runaway Pentagon budget Paulson to Testify on Bank of America-Merrill Deal, House Committee Says Former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will appear next month before a congressional panel looking into whether regulators pressured Bank of America Corp. to complete its takeover of Merrill Lynch & Co., a spokeswoman for the committee said. New Tapes Reveal Nixon Supported Abortion: For Interracial Pregnancies
Connecticut
Gov. Rell Vetoes Controversial Bill Banning Ash Site in Franklin Pratt and Whitney cutting 200 jobs Connecticut Church Posts Controversial Gay Exorcism Video on YouTube Riders uneasy about future Budget cuts could end free trips for elderly, disabled	Video of ``gay exorcism'' sparks outrage Gay rights advocates are outraged over a video that shows a Connecticut church performing an apparent exorcism of a boy to drive out what they call his homosexual demons. Conn. quitting in helping its smokers? Connecticut is ranked dead last in a program to stop smoking, spending less than two-percent of our tobacco revenue on smoking programs. Medicaid does not cover any programs to help stop smoking and the state's quit line was shut down.
United States
Security Issues The Secret Sentry Declassified Declassified Documents Reveal the Inner Workings and Intelligence Gathering Operations of the National Security Agency New detector not much better catching nuke matter Federal investigators say the government's next generation radiation detectors are only marginally better at detecting hidden nuclear material than monitors already at U.S. ports, but would cost more than twice as much Pentagon may consider split tanker plan: lawmaker The Pentagon is still weighing how to proceed with a multibillion-dollar competition for new aerial refueling tankers, and may yet consider a plan to buy new planes from both Boeing Co and Northrop Grumman Corp , a top U.S. lawmaker said on Wednesday. Murtha says White House faulted in ending program The chairman of a powerful House subcommittee that funds the military says he's hopeful that at least some of the $3.2 billion spent for a new fleet of presidential helicopters can be salvaged. Crash subway 'warned over trains' Investigators say Washington DC subway was urged to upgrade aging trains three years before a crash that has killed nine people. In New Theory, Swine Flu Started in Asia, Not Mexico Federal agriculture officials believe that the new swine flu pandemic most likely emerged in pigs in Asia, then traveled to North America in a human. Rights group sues FBI to reveal its surveillance rules US Defense Intelligence Agency swine flu risk to military, 11 Jun 2009 US military base changes for Europe: Senior Leader Spouce VTC, 21 Jan 2009 Courts SHOCK: Texas Strip Club Sues 14-Year-Old Exotic Dancer Supreme Court Ends Plame Lawsuit Against Cheney Supreme Court: More districts can sue to bail out of Voting Rights Act The court did not strike down the law Monday, as some experts had expected, but it opened the door for jurisdictions to free themselves from one of the act's key provisions Supreme Court to review sex offender law The top court agrees to assess a law that lets the US government indefinitely detain sex offenders even after they have served their sentences. Supreme Court Rules On Special Education Case In a 6-to-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled Monday that school districts could be required to reimburse students who choose special education programs at private schools even if they did not try the public school's special education offerings first. Justices Say Waste Can Be Dumped in Lake Over the objections of environmentalists, the Supreme Court ruled that a Corps of Engineers permit allowing the dumping of mining waste into an Alaska lake was valid.	Greed Church Of Scientology Leadership Accused Of Widespread Violence Organ Transplants: The Rich Have An Edge The rich may have advantage with 'multiple listings' on liver waiting lists. 53 indicted in alleged $50M Medicare fraud scheme Madoff asks for 12 years in jail Media Time Warner, Comcast to start online video trials Time Warner Inc. and Comcast Corp. on Wednesday took concrete steps to bring cable television shows to the Internet -- but only for paying cable subscribers. Corporate-Owned Papers Near the Border More Likely to Run Anti-Immigrant News and Views Close to the border, local papers serve up what they think their readers want â€” a hefty dose of crime-laden, anti-immigrant news and views. Army takes heat for refusing embed to Stripes reporter The Army's decision to bar a Stars and Stripes reporter from embedding with a unit in Iraq because he "refused to highlight" good news drew a harsh rebuke from media watchdogs, who said the action compromises the integrity of the media embed program. Right-Wing Internet Radio Host Arrested For Inciting Violence Against Public Officials... Again Hal Turner, an occasional talk show host on internet radio and blogger, was arrested today by the FBI in his New Jersey home on charges he threatened to murder three federal appeals court judges in Chicago following their recent ruling upholding handgun bans. Civil Rights Daryl Hannah, scientist James Hansen arrested at W.Va. mine protest Drug War Are Mind-Enhancing Drugs a Dangerous Fad or a Great Way to Get Ahead? Juiced Up Jocks and 'Roid Rage: Do We Really Care If Grown Men Use Steroids? We demand that our sports stars thrill us -- then demonize them for using steroids. Does it really matter? UN Backs Drug Decriminalization In World Drug Report Cocaine, opiate markets 'shrink' Markets for cocaine, opiates and cannabis are steady or declining, but those for synthetic drugs seem to be growing, the UN says. Video: "Smoke Free" Cigarette Debate Some smokers who wish to quit are now praising the controversial e-cigarette, which simulates the effects of smoking. But, as Karina Mitchell reports, U.S. health officials are less optimistic. Police The Fraud Squad: How Miami Police Led The Fight Against Mortgage Crooks Cop who beat barmaid gets probation

Science
Predict the Weather a Year in Advance Saturn moon has liquid water below surface
Politics
Senate GOP Senator Refuses To Meet Injured Sotomayor Over Lateness Puerto Ricans may get vote on statehood Puerto Rico's top political leaders are heading to Washington, D.C., Wednesday to battle over a bill that could result in the first congressionally mandated referendum on the future of the island's political status. Senate Votes to Triple Nonmilitary Aid to Pakistan House Ron Paul: The World's Most Popular U.S. Congressman (VIDEO) Months after his long-shot bid for the Republican presidential nomination ended, Rep. Ron Paul has become a hot ticket on the international stage. Unlikely as it may seem, Paul, a Texas Republican, is the most popular member of Congress outside the United States, if foreign television appearances are any indication Barney Frank Files Bill To Decriminalize Marijuana Webb Crime Bill Moving In House "I think it's really time to do an absolute overview of the issue of drugs and come at it with an open mind," he said. State Politics South Carolina Governor in Buenos Aires, Not Appalachian Trail The case of the missing South Carolina governor is getting stranger by the day. Sanford admits affair Gov. Mark Sanford says he will resign as chairman of the Republican Governor's Association. Statement from First Lady Jenny Sanford (asked husband to leave 2 weeks ago) Environment US Rules Out Panel's Call for 40% Emissions Cut Actress Daryl Hannah, Climate Scientist James Hansen Among 30+ Arrested Protesting Mountaintop Removal in West Virginia NY Air Pollution Carries Serious Cancer Risk: Feds Neighborhoods Nationwide Breathe Toxic Air	Health Insurance Deceptive Practices: How Insurance Companies Hurt Policyholders Preventive health care may cost more than it saves *Public health plan would save* money Think tank: US would save $1.8 trillion with a public health option. GITMO/Abu Ghraib/Bahgram Judge Orders Release of Guantanamo Prisoner Once Held by Al-Qaeda Wiretaps New Tapes Reveal Nixon Supported Abortion: For Interracial Pregnancies Death Penalty Federal Reserve/Bailouts Fed Leaves Bond-Purchase Program Unchanged, Says Pace of Contraction Slows The Federal Reserve refrained from increasing its $1.75 trillion bond-purchase program, said the pace of economic contraction is slowing and predicted inflation will remain “subdued for some time.” Paulson to Testify on Bank of America-Merrill Deal, House Committee Says Former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will appear next month before a congressional panel looking into whether regulators pressured Bank of America Corp. to complete its takeover of Merrill Lynch & Co., a spokeswoman for the committee said. Lincoln National Accused of `Robbery' by Congressman for Hawaii Sales Trip Lincoln National Corp., the insurer that accepted almost $1 billion in U.S. bailout funds, is guilty of “robbery” for flying top salesmen to a Hawaiian resort before receiving the cash, said Representative Elijah Cummings. Defense** Shock and Audit: The Hidden Defense Budget Somewhere in the middle regions of Barack Obama's Herculean to-do list is a task that's defeated many of his predecessors: taming the runaway Pentagon budget
Obama
White House Officials Had Private Meeting With 9/11 Family Members On Monday New Evidence Links Saudi Royal Family To Al Qaeda And Extremists Documents gathered by lawyers for the families of Sept. 11 victims provide new evidence of extensive financial support for Al Qaeda and other extremist groups by members of the Saudi royal family, but the material may never find its way into court because of legal and diplomatic obstacles. White House Says Immigration Reform Unlikely in '09 Obama finds no stimulus waste Obama Says Government Health Coverage Plan Would Not Hurt Private Insurers	Congress largely ignoring Obama budget cuts Democrats in Congress crafting spending bills are largely rejecting the roster of program eliminations and budget cuts wanted by President Barack Obama. Obama administration complains to WTO about China China's being unfair to U.S. steel producers by restricting access to raw materials, the U.S. says. The complaint is the first to be filed after Obama promised aggressive action in his campaign. Beijing rejects protectionism charge Obama sending ambassador to Syria after years
Economy	NEW Click for Economic Statistics
Nobel Economist Phelps Says Americans May Take 15 Years to Restore Wealth U.S. households may take as long as 15 years to rebuild wealth lost in the recession, said Columbia University professor Edmund Phelps, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics in 2006. Jobless rate to rise globally, study says WATCH: Warren Buffett: U.S. Economy Still In "Shambles"	Slump continues in Japan exports GM to Cut 4,000 More White-Collar Jobs ITC approves import ban on Sharp TVs, displays The U.S. is banning the import of televisions and other goods containing certain liquid crystal display devices manufactured by Japan's Sharp Corp

Iraq	Map of Iraq
Bomb Strikes Shiite Market In Baghdad, Kills More Than 60 At least 52 people are killed in a bomb blast at a market in the Shia Sadr City area of the Iraq capital, Baghdad, say officials. Bomb strikes Shiite market in Baghdad, killing 56 Iraqi officials have raised the casualty toll in a bombing in Baghdad's main Shiite district of Sadr City to at least 56 killed and more than 100 wounded. Iraq Kurds pass new constitution to include Kirkuk Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan on Wednesday passed a new constitution in which it laid claim to the disputed oil-rich province of Kirkuk, a move likely to increase ethnic tension.	Tuesday: 2 Iraqis Killed, 16 Wounded Wednesday: 5 Iraqis Killed, 31 Wounded At least 24 Iraqis killed, 78 wounded in countrywide attacks Remote-control planes firing missiles in Iraq Iraq: Kurds demand oil bidding round be annulled Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region has branded Baghdad's energy contracts due to be awarded at the end of this month as "unconstitutional" and demanded they be annulle Five Explosions Hit Baghdad in One Day
Middle East
Israel/Palestine ITC approves import ban on Sharp TVs, displays Israel removes dozens of West Bank roadblocks Report: Israel Authorizes 300 New Settlement Homes	US cancels Netanyahu meet over settlements: report Israel frees a top Hamas figure Hip-Hop, Palestinian Style Comes to Ramallah
Afghanistan	Map of Afghanistan
Al Jazeera English's exclusive Interview with al-Qaeda's third in command In a rare and exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Mustafa Abul-Yazeed, al-Qaeda's third in command, said it would use Pakistan's nuclear weapons agains the United States. Al Jazeera's Shiulie Ghosh spoke with Michael Griffin, an al-Qaeda expert about Abul-Yazeed's comments and their implications. Just Missed! Taliban Leader Dodges Drone Attack Fierce Battles and High Casualties on the Frontlines of Afghanistan Troops fight for security and safety in the heartland of the Taliban. U.S. to restrict airstrikes in Afghanistan The new U.S. commander in Afghanistan plans to issue a directive that will restrict the use of U.S. airstrikes in areas where civilian casualties might be a risk, his spokesman told CNN. Afghan girl burned by white phosphorus heads home Female Candidate Braves Retaliation With Presidential Run In Afghanistan	Taliban Guards 'Bribed' To Help David Rohde's Daring Escape Plan WATCH: Coalition Soldiers Filmed Carrying Out Huge Helicopter Attack On Taliban Suspected U.S. Strike Kills At Least 60 People At Funeral In Pakistan Taliban Guards 'Bribed' To Help David Rohde's Daring Escape Plan NY Times used contractor with CIA ties, considered a $2 million ransom payment. Twin bomb blasts hit Afghan town At least six people are killed in two bomb attacks in the eastern Afghan town of Khost, officials say. Mullah Omar reasserts control of Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar is reasserting direct control over the militant group, ordering attacks and shuffling field commanders in Afghanistan, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
Pakistan	Map of Pakistan
Pak officials behind killing of 11 French engineers: Report Deadliest US missile strikes in Pakistan Unmanned U.S. drone aircraft have fired missiles at suspected militant targets in Pakistan's tribal region dozens of times in the past two years. Here are details of some of the deadliest attacks, based on information from Pakistani officials Pakistan rival of Taliban chief shot dead 'by own bodyguard' pro-government militant rival of the Pakistani Taliban leader was shot dead today in a serious blow to the military's offensive against insurgency in the border region with Afghanistan.	Pakistan: No extradition request from India Pakistan has not received a formal request from India to hand over a group of suspects in last year's deadly Mumbai terrorist attacks and probably would not do so if it did, a government spokesman said Wednesday. India Issues Arrest Warrants For 22 Pakistanis Over Mumbai Attacks US missile strike kills 60 at funeral in Pakistan Pak officials behind killing of 11 French engineers: Report
Asia
China arrests prominent dissident Liu Xiaobo is formally arrested for "subversive activities", state media reports. China blocks Google website Pressured by sex workers, Taiwan OKs prostitution Taiwan began a process of legalizing prostitution Wednesday making the island the latest place in the world to decriminalize the world's oldest profession	Tajiks arrest alleged Islamic group members Tajikistan said Wednesday that the alleged leader of a banned Islamic movement and dozens of followers have been arrested on charges of inciting religious hatred Bangladesh court rules polluting firms will be shut India has most number of domestic terror groups Video: Chinese riot over alleged murder-cover up in Shishou
Europe
Sarkozy: Burqas "Not Welcome" In France Mich. man accused of shooting Jews in WWII An 88-year-old man in the U.S. who is now the subject of a criminal investigation in Poland into allegations he shot Jews during World War II insists he did nothing wrong. In U.K., 'I Before E' No More "I before e, except after c." It's a hallowed spelling rule that's been passed on from teacher to student the world over. Now, teachers in Britain are being told to stop because there are too many exceptions. Ben Schott, blogger and author of Schott's Miscellany 2008: An Almanac, offers his insight.	Google Executives On Trial In Absentia In Italy Testimony begins Tuesday in the trial of four Google executives in Italy. The case involves a YouTube video of an autistic Italian youth being beaten and insulted. Google owns YouTube and Italian prosecutors are accusing the executives of privacy violations. They want Google to do more to filter content. Google says content is the responsibility of the user, not the company Nicolas Sarkozy says Islamic veils are not welcome in France EU officials warned to be careful about email content
Africa
Nigerian testifies that congressman sought bribes Nigerian businessman says a former U.S. congressman sought bribes on both ends of a business deal he brokered between an American company and a Nigerian startup. William Jefferson, a Democrat from Louisiana who represented parts of New Orleans, is on trial accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes. Testimony on Wednesday came from Dumebi Kachikwu, founder of a Nigerian company called NDTV that wanted to provide television service. Kachikwu says Jefferson solicited bribes from his company that could have surpassed $1 million. Those were in addition to bribes he allegedly received from	Yemen's fishermen caught between Somali pirates and pirate hunters Attacks by both Somali pirates and international ships hunting them have crippled Yemen's fishing business, the tiny country's second-largest export industry after oil. Sudan to execute US envoy killers Four Sudanese men to be hanged for killing a US government official and his driver.
The Americas
Paraguay woman says Lugo raped her in '01 A woman who claims that Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo is the father of her son on Tuesday accused the former Roman Catholic bishop of raping her in their first sexual encounter	U.S. and Venezuela to restore expelled ambassadors Bolivia arrests 8 Mennonite men accused of raping more than 60 women at their farm community